Itinerary

Oslo

Clarion Collection Hotel Gabelshus

Day 1: Oslo

Relax on a private airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

A welcome package with a city map, train tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Accommodation: Clarion Collection Hotel Gabelshus (4*)

Kon-Tiki Raft

Day 2: Oslo

Embark on a guided group tour by coach today, including all major and “must-see” attractions in Oslo. You'll be taken through the city center of Oslo, to the Vigeland Sculpture Park and to the Ski Jump at Holmenkollen. You will see the Viking Ships in the Viking Ship Museum and the unique polar ship Fram in the Fram Museum. Afterwards you will learn more about the spectacular expeditions of Thor Heyerdahl in the Kon-Tiki Museum.

Accommodation: Clarion Collection Hotel Gabelshus (4*)

Flam

Fretheim Hotel

Day 3: Oslo - Flam

Meet your driver for a private train station transfer.

Take a train from Oslo to Myrdal this morning. The Bergen Railway is a unique experience on Northern Europe's highest-altitude railway line. One of the greatest challenges is the harsh and changeable weather. The line is exposed to deep low-pressure centers from the west, which can mean strong winds and heavy snow for part of the year. Keeping the railway open demands great effort and technical expertise. Today, skilled workers, effective equipment, tunnels and snow tunnels make the Bergen Railway one of the safest and most comfortable ways of travelling between Oslo and Bergen. The line was voted one of the 20 best railway experiences in the world in 1999.

Take a cog railway from Myrdal to Flåm of the Flåm Railway. (open seating). The scenic 20-kilometre (12 mi) route between Myrdal and Flam is one of the steepest railway tracks at 1 in 18 (not counting rack railways) in the world and provides some of Norway's wildest and most magnificent scenery. On the ride you can see rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascade down the side of steep, snow-capped mountains and mountain farms cling dizzily to sheer slopes. There are also a few spirals along the route which allow trains to rise on a steady curve until it has completed a loop, passing over itself as it gains height, allowing the railway to gain vertical elevation in a relatively short horizontal distance.

Accommodation: Fretheim (4*)

Stalheim

Stalheim Hotel

Day 4: Flam - Gudvagen - Stalheim

Take a boat ride from Flam to Gudvagen that winds around precipitous mountains, mighty waterfalls and small homesteads that cling to the mountain sides.

Take a short bus ride from Gudvagen to Stalheim.

Accommodation: Stalheim (4*)

Bergen

Clarion Hotel Admiral

Day 5: Stalheim - Voss - Bergen

Take a bus ride from Stalheim to Voss. The journey will take approximately 33 minutes.

Day 6: Bergen - Norway Fjords Cruise

Take some time to get settled in to your stateroom and to explore the length of your ship. Your voyage will begin shortly.

Be sure to bring your spirit of adventure, as your planned route may change based on season, and sailing conditions. Let your Captain navigate you on a magnificent journey.

Accommodation: MS Polarlys

Optional: Geiranger Excursion

Alesund

Day 7: Alesund - Norway Fjords Cruise

During your voyage, your ship will make several quick stops at various port towns at all hours of the day - some even while you're sleeping.

Starting in the early hours of the day, you're likely to make brief stops at Floro, Maloy, Torvik, Alesund and Molde. From mid-April to mid-September, a stop is also planned for Geiranger.

Depending on season, a handful of rotating group excursion options exist today and can be added to your itinerary (at additional cost).

Optional Shared Shore Excursions (not included):

-2 hour "A Taste of Norway" from Hjorundfjord, visiting an area that has towns and valleys that have fascinated visitors for centuries.-7.5 hour "Geiranger with Trollstigen Pass" with a close-up experience of Geirangerfjord, and the 11 hairpin bends down the winding Trollstigen Pass.-2 hour "Art Nouveau Walk" in the beautiful town of Alesund, renowed across the world for its beautiful art nouveau architecture.-2 hour "Aquarium and Mount Aksla" from Alesund, visiting one of Northern Europe's largest salt-water aquariums (Atlanterhavsparken), as well as a journey up to Mount Aksla to admire the view of Alesund below.

Accommodation: MS Polarlys

Optional: Nidaros Cathedral

Trondheim

Day 8: Trondheim - Norway Fjords Cruise

You're likely to make brief stops at Kristiansund, Trondheim and Rorvik today, as you continue to sail through the magnificent fjord system.

Depending on season, a handful of rotating group excursion options exist today and can be added to your itinerary (at additional cost).

Optional Shared Shore Excursions (not included):

-3 hour "Nidaros Cathedral & Ringve Museum" in Trondheim. Visit Norway's national shrine and only Gothic style cathedral; Nidaros. Then, have Norway's musical history brought to life at the Ringve Museum.-2 hour "Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral". Discover Trondheim, Norway's original capital, founded as early as 997 by the Viking King Olav Tryggvason. While in town, visit Norway's national shrine and only Gothic style cathedral; Nidaros.-2 hour "Munkholmen", visiting a part of Trondheim, originally an ancient place of execution, site of an early Benedictine monastery, and later a fortress and prison.

Day 9: Ørnes - Norway Fjords Cruise

Depending on season, a handful of rotating group excursion options exist today and can be added to your itinerary (at additional cost).

Optional Shared Shore Excursions (not included):

-6 hour "Svartisen Glacier" from Ornes, visiting the second largest glacier in Norway, by small boat in the realm of the sea eagle, Europe's largest predatory bird.-2 hour "RIB Safari to Saltstraumen" from Bodo, riding in a rigid inflatable boat to the world's largest tidal current, experiencing a rare adventure in harmony with nature, eagles and the deep blue sea.-3 hour "Lofotr Viking Feast" from Lofoten, enjoying a real Viking feast in the banquet hall of the Lofotr Viking Museum, a Chieftan's house dating back to around 500AD. It is the largest building of its type ever found, and has since been reimagined to recreate its original ambience.-7 hour "Whale Watching" from Lofoten, setting out to spot some of the world's largest mammals.

Day 10: Tromsø - Norway Fjords Cruise

Depending on season, a handful of rotating group excursion options exist today and can be added to your itinerary (at additional cost).

Optional Shared Shore Excursions (not included):

-6.5 hour "Wilderness Adventure Camp" from Finnsnes, offering dog sledding, snowmobiling and reindeer driving as your choice of activities.-2.5 hour "The Arctic Capital" at Tromso, visiting the Polario center, with an Arctic aquarium, and seal pool, followed by a stop at the Arctic Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece.-3.5 hour "Dog Sledding" from Tromso, letting a team of huskies pull you over the frozen landscape.-3.5 hour "Scenery & Huskies", meeting more than 250 huskies and puppies at the Tromso Wilderness Center on Kvaloya Island.-2.5 hour "Polar History Walk", visiting Tromso's historic main street, Storgaten, and the Polar Museum, with exhibits on Norway's proud polar history.-3.5 hour "Kayaking Tromso Coast", setting out with an experienced kayaking guide to paddle the waters off the coast of Tromso, with the mountains forming a stunning backdrop.

Accommodation: MS Polarlys

Optional: Birdwatching

Honningsvag

Day 11: Mehamn - Honningsvag - Norway Fjords Cruise

Short calls to port are planned today for Oksfjord, Hammerfest, Havoysund, Honningsvag, Kjollefjord, Mehamn, and Berlevag.

Depending on season, a handful of rotating group excursion options exist today and can be added to your itinerary (at additional cost).

Optional Shared Shore Excursions (not included):

-3 hour "The North Cape" from Honningsvag, escaping to a plateau 307 meters up above the ice cold Arctic Ocean waters below. This is as far north as you can get in mainland Europe.-3 hour "Birdwatching Safari" from Honningsvag. Travel to an impressive nature reserve to study the area's largest flock of puffins, together with large numbers of kittiwakes and other birds.-2.5 hour "A Taste of Lapland" from Kjollefjord, heading into the mountains to meet reindeer herders dressed in traditional costume, and hear of their traditions, before going out to see the reindeer.-2 hour "Snowmobile Trip in Lapland", departing from Kjollefjord, some of Norway's best instructors will ensure that proper training is given before you hop onto your own snowmobile for this once in a lifetime trip through fascinating scenery.-2 hour "Sami Autumn" from Kjollefjord, getting a glimpse of the traditional Sami people, learning about their labour-intensive fall season preparing for the winter. Sample dried reindeer meet and difference natural beverages.

Accommodation: MS Polarlys

Day 12: Kirkenes

Arriving to Kirkenes this morning, you'll disembark from your ship, bidding the crew a fond farewell.

What's Included:

Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, and Fees as mentioned in the itinerary, Meals if specified - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

What's not Included:

Trip Terms & Conditions

Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $1340). The balance is due 95 days prior to departure.

Cancellations of confirmed bookings 95 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 61-94 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-60 days will be subject to loss of 75% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.

Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary

Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.

Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.

Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

Hotels

Clarion Collection Hotel Gabelshus

Clarion Collection Hotel Gabelshus (4*) - Oslo

Clarion Collection Hotel Gabelshus is located in the heart of an elegant residential area and in walking distance from Vigelandsparken, Aker Brygge and the Royal castle you are guaranteed an exciting stay in Oslo. The interior is composed of historical details and fantastic paintings. The hotel offers tasty meals in a charming atmosphere with access to their popular terrace for outside dining. Hotel Gabelshus offers a range of salons with a relaxing atmosphere, the hotel library has a dignified style where you can relax with a book, watch TV or enjoy a glass of wine. The so called fireplace room is furnished with antique furniture and calming colors offering relaxation in comfortable armchairs in front of the open fireplace.

Fretheim (4*) - Flam

Fretheim Hotel is a beautiful wooden building situated at the head of a scenic fjord arm of the famous Sognefjord. The hotel dates back to the 1870s. They believe in honoring its long traditions, while making sure we have modern amenities and comfort that are well suited to today's guests. The newest wing of their hotel was added in 2000, with the most visible distinction being the glass façade. In the historic wing of our hotel, we have made every effort to preserve the old feel of Fretheim Hotel – in fact it appears much the same now as when it greeted travellers in the 19th century.

Stalheim (4*) - Stalheim

The beautiful view over the Nærøy Valley, from Stalheim Hotel, has for nearly 200 years been one of the highlights in many a traveler’s visit to Western Norway. Many artists, painters and poets, both famous and not so famous, have through the years found inspiration to great works of art in this dramatic but at the same time harmonic landscape, and it is our hope that also you will find inspiration to your own next work of art here at Stalheim. With the grand nature that surrounds Stalheim close contact with of nature is an unavoidable part of a stay at Stalheim. Whether your prefer to relax on the hotel’s terrace garden and let the nature come to you, or you choose to take advantage of the many hiking trails starting from Stalheim it is their aim to give you a good and lasting experience of nature.

Clarion Hotel Admiral (4*) - Bergen

The Clarion Hotel Admiral is housed in a magnificent old packhouse building that dates back to 1906. The hotel opened its doors to guests for the first time in 1987. Clarion Hotel Admiral is the only waterside hotel in Bergen with the best view to Bryggen, Vågen and Fløien. They have 211 unique rooms. Fifty of them have a balcony with a view to three sides. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Restaurant. You can also sit out on their fantastic jetty and admire the finest view in Bergen while you enjoy your meals. Lobby Bar is the ideal place to enjoy a great cup of coffee or a quiet drink. If you would prefer to eat in your room, then take a look at their 24-hour room service menu. Whatever you choose, you can be sure of culinary delights and personal service.

MS Polarlys - Norway Fjords Cruise

Enjoy a trip on MS Polarlys from the comfort of your own home. Built in 1996 the ship combine small ship atmosphere with space, style and comfort. Choose from their wide range of comfortable cabins. They vary in size and location, sometimes within the same grade. As a general rule, outside accommodation on the higher decks has a picture window while lower decks have portholes. Meals are served at set times in the dining room. Open seating, buffet-style for breakfast and lunch. Early or late seating for dinner – three course sit-down menu. The ship has a centrally placed bar on the top deck. Large windows ensure best possible view.